Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Appeal for Witnesses

Witness Appeal please

Busking is another way for the public to appreciate live music for free.  They can choose to give a contribution if they want.  Though, whenever I have passed another musician busking I have never felt a pressure as to when a homeless person will call out spare any change please.  Personally, I give to the homeless when I can, though to have a skill such as musicianship and create happiness when someone smiles, chooses to share a conversation or skips along because you are playing music, whether they give anything or not, that is a reward in itself.  Such an outcome is similar to teaching, and as well as being a musician I can teach.  Buskers are not beggars.  In the current economic climate, with so many shops closing down, to have a musician busking, more than likely in front of a To Let shop front brightens up not only the town, but the people in it.

A few years ago whilst busking in Preston I was attacked and robbed.  The offenders had committed another offence also and are serving time, still.

That is the first time I have ever been attacked whilst performing as a musician in public.

Recently, whilst busking I was attacked and robbed, yet again... !

I am writing this blog to appeal to any witnesses that saw what happened around 3pm on Sunday 22nd September when the said incident occurred to please come forward and inform the police.  Just telling them what you saw and perhaps giving a statement will help.  Or, if you know someone who saw something please encourage them to come forward.

You can contact PC Damien Brook directly.  You can call 101, quote ref. 0893 for 22/09/2019 also.  Email for PC Damien Brook is 8214@lancashire.pnn.police.uk

Please see the following links (click on/copy and paste) for direct information re. to the appeal:-

https://www.facebook.com/PrestonPolice/photos/a.165878103460460/2373601956021386/?type=3&theater

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/woman-charged-after-street-performer-is-robbed-in-preston-city-centre-1-10015656?fbclid=IwAR3Vsw5DuYfVPYkzvty_YPv5u-iVGH3LNNqXaX5BpYU6fmTDd2HxedTcCdg

Musicians/buskers should not have to put up with such maltreatment.

So many pubs have closed down in the UK.  Many venues do not even pay musicians/bands.  Though, hey say to a plumber it's free advertising for the work that they've been called out to do is unheard of.

I have done lots of open mics. (these are unpaid), voluntary work as a musician and gigs for various charities (again, unpaid).

Whilst a music student I joined the Musicians Union.  Their slogan is Keep Music Live.  Well, I'd like to add to this, yes, keep music live though also you have a great night out so pay the musician(s)/band who creates that ambience for you.

Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy - Equine - Just For Fun

Spot The Difference

Recently, I noticed Myerscough College's riding club was being advertised as an event this year, the day's changed, the fee's gone up and that I'm in the promotion pic. as well.

It seems ages ago I uploaded one of my pics. from riding club on to a social media facebook account of mine as a cover photo and it's very nearly the same as this one.

Just for fun see if you can spot the differences in these two pics..  You might win a prize.

See the links below for similar photos:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=316467829220837&set=a.165950197605935&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/myerscoughstudentunion/photos/gm.888093034894577/1689534181181741/?type=3&theater

I can spot at least three differences.  Can you spot them?  Or, can you spot more?

Let me know in comments or email me: sophiecox-oshaughnessy@outlook.com

all entrants must be in by 10/11/2019

prize is subject to entrants location for postage